Ascend Board Member Anthony Taylor Inducted into African American Credit Union Hall of Fame

Anthony Taylor. Photo credit: Ascend Federal Credit Union.

March 12, 2024 – Ascend Federal Credit Union announced today that longtime board member Anthony Taylor was inducted into the African American Credit Union Hall of Fame at a ceremony held on March 5.

The African American Credit Union Hall of Fame, established by the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC), acknowledges individuals for their contributions to advancing the credit union movement, particularly in providing financial services and facilitating access to financial capital for African Americans and people of color. The AACUC is a nonprofit created to increase the strength of the global credit union community through professional development and advocacy.

Taylor was inducted along with four other credit union leaders during the ceremony, which was held as part of the Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., at the Organization of American States (OAS) building.

“It’s a great privilege to be inducted into the African American Credit Union Hall of Fame along with my fellow 2024 honorees,” Taylor said. “I’m gratified to see the credit union industry’s continued forward momentum in matters of diversity and inclusion, and I remain committed to doing my part to ensure Ascend continues to play a vital role in the financial lives of our members.”

Anthony Taylor at far left. Photo credit: Ascend Federal Credit Union.

In 2003, Taylor became the first African American appointed to Ascend Federal Credit Union’s Board Development Committee. Since then, he has been instrumental in propelling growth in the credit union’s assets and members, transforming it into Middle Tennessee’s largest credit union and one of the largest in the state. In 2021, Taylor was named Volunteer of the Year by the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU) for his contributions within the industry.

Over his more than 20-year tenure on Ascend’s board, Taylor has held various leadership roles, including chairman from 2017 to 2020, vice chairman from 2014 to 2017 and treasurer from 2013 to 2014. He also served as a member of the board’s supervisory committee from 2004 to 2012 and from 2020 to the present.

“All of us at Ascend congratulate Anthony on this well-deserved honor,” said Matt Jernigan, president and CEO of Ascend Federal Credit Union. “Over his tenure as an Ascend board member, he’s played a major role not only in making sure our board’s diversity reflects that of our members, but elevating our credit union’s profile across Tennessee. We’re grateful for his ongoing impact on Ascend’s success.”

The National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions named Ascend the 2015 Federal Credit Union of the Year while Taylor was vice chairman. During his time as chairman, Ascend was named a “Best Credit Union to Work For” by the Credit Union Journal for three consecutive years. Taylor holds a B.S. from Middle Tennessee State University and a J.D. from the Nashville School of Law.